Tell me about being a Dad...

[Northendzone]

green latern congrats and glad to hear that it worked out.

my son had some medical issues a few hours after he was born, when they were working on him one of the nurses asked me if I wanted a bedside seat and I said I was fine as at that moment I was the elast important person in the room.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Wow, I was not prepared to read that post at work. Makes me extremely grateful that our only complication during pregnancy was gestational diabetes, but my daughter was born with no issues and my wife's blood sugar returned to normal right away. Very glad to hear things are looking good GL, a few months ago I would have never been to relate to the fear and uncertainty that you must have felt

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

So I had the best and worst day of my life yesterday..... So I knew this delivery wouldn't be roses... but..

Luckily the staff was amazing and they were able to pull both through, we aren't out of the woods yet but we're on the mend and hoping to be able to leave the high risk ward by tomorrow. We're going on hour 78 straight here in the hospital, it's starting to get a little old but I understand and appreciate the necessity to stay.

This.
First, I'm glad to hear both mom and baby are okay and I understand how frightening this can be, especially for the dad since we have absolutely zero control of the situation.

You nailed it with the part I have bolded, and it is something to keep in mind. By and large our health care system is full of amazing people who are absolutely top notch at what they do. Your wife and baby were and are in good hands so take comfort in that.

[Hanni]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

So I had the best and worst day of my life yesterday. My wife was diagnosed pre eclampsia on Tuesday and her blood pressure had reached as high as 170/118, we were admitted to the high risk ward and she was immediately put on some drugs to prevent seizures and was closely monitored with bp measurements every 15 minutes for the next 24 hours while they worked on it. So I knew this delivery wouldn't be roses... but..

Eventually they induced as it was no longer safe for baby in there, problem is when the contraptions started the babies bp would plummet for whatever reason, it got to the point there was a njnch of nurses and doctors just watching the monitor waiting for it to rebound... or not. I say there watching it for about 4 hours and it was hell. Then they decided she had to push, but as she pushed it got worse and babies heart rate bottomed out and they couldn't find it on the monitor, the call went up they ran for doctors, and all I could do was stand there and watch. The specialist came in and took control, vacuumed baby out, but to do so they had to give my wife third grade tears, she was losing a lot of blood and now bahy, being 4 weeks premature and with lungs full of liquid, was struggling to breath, so the nicu was called immediately.

The good news was that his heart was healthy, so that was a relief. While I listened to him weeze on one side of the room my wife's bp plummeted to from 150/105 to 70/50 in a matter of minutes, she was losing a lot of bloood. I'm not a doctor but the panic was clear, I didn't know what the hell to do, my wife's losing consciousness bleeding out calling my name asking how the baby is, my baby Is struggling to breath with people working on him, it was the worst moment of my life. Luckily the staff was amazing and they were able to pull both through, we aren't out of the woods yet but we're on the mend and hoping to be able to leave the high risk ward by tomorrow. We're going on hour 78 straight here in the hospital, it's starting to get a little old but I understand and appreciate the necessity to stay. At the end of it all I was fortunate enough to receive a beautiful baby boy, while a bit tiny at 5 lbs, 12 ounces, William Theodore is a pintiszed power house and I already can't remember what my life was like without him. Best moment of my life was when he came out and they plopped him down my wife's chest.

Congrats, what a crazy stressful experience. We just had a 6 week preemie not long ago and the NICU can be kind of a scary and lonely place, especially if mom is laid up and unable to be there for a while. Any questions or anything at all shoot me a PM.

[MBates]

My wife is one of those top notch nurses at the Foothills labor and delivery unit. I have no idea how she has done that job for nearly two decades...but I have a pretty good idea why on occasions strangers will stop us in our tracks as we are walking in a mall or elsewhere in public and hug her and talk to her like they are best friends.

One of our kids had us in for a long haul in hospital both for three weeks before birth and another month in the NICU after. Honestly I have a hard time figuring now how we got through all that but we did (and let's face it, it is because of my wife, without her...I can't imagine).

That kid just turned 6 and you would never know she ever had issues at birth. For her birthday she decided instead of presents to collect money to donate to the NICU. I can't describe how worth it all of the worrying and stress and turmoil was to be able to experience things like looking at her smiling little face when she tells people about that with such pride.

Anyway, I get the best day / worst day part of your story. Hopefully yours continues to go the right direction and there are plenty of best days yet to come.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by MBates

My wife is one of those top notch nurses at the Foothills labor and delivery unit. I have no idea how she has done that job for nearly two decades...but I have a pretty good idea why on occasions strangers will stop us in our tracks as we are walking in a mall or elsewhere in public and hug her and talk to her like they are best friends.

One of our kids had us in for a long haul in hospital both for three weeks before birth and another month in the NICU after. Honestly I have a hard time figuring now how we got through all that but we did (and let's face it, it is because of my wife, without her...I can't imagine).

That kid just turned 6 and you would never know she ever had issues at birth. For her birthday she decided instead of presents to collect money to donate to the NICU. I can't describe how worth it all of the worrying and stress and turmoil was to be able to experience things like looking at her smiling little face when she tells people about that with such pride.

Anyway, I get the best day / worst day part of your story. Hopefully yours continues to go the right direction and there are plenty of best days yet to come.

Every year we cut a cheque to the NICU as well, been doing it for the 17 birthdays my kids have had. Good for your daughter!

[OutOfTheCube]

My wife is at 33 weeks now with our second. She's starting to get nervous, but also excited to get it over with and have another boy.

Though our first was a cakewalk, like you see on the movies or TV shows. No complications for mom or baby, pretty quick labour, no follow-up complications. Praying and hoping that the next is just as smooth, some scary stories in here for sure!

[GreenLantern]

Well after 175ish hours straight in the hospital for my wife and a few short breaks to run home for me, we made it home with baby in tow. I just want to say thanks for all the support and comments, I read all of them multiple times through out our stay while holding my son, but my one hand typing sucked to bad to reply. I'd get half way through and he would wake up, or it'd be time to feed, or the wife would need something etc..

All and all we escaped this situation relatively unscathed, it felt like navigating extremely chopper waters in a reef, we were one misstep away from disaster, but through the guidance of patient and very skilled doctors and nurses we did it. I count myself very fortunate that our stay was limited to 8 days, the wife is under severe monitoring and has a few check ups already scheduled this week, but at least she can sleep in her own bed. I predict the blood pressure will start to drop now. It is an experience I will never forget, it was humbling and made me realize just how fortunate we are. I chalk it up to my wife being an absolute sweet heart and always being kind to everyone and doing the right thing, karma rewarded her I'm just lucky enough to be in her radius.

Right now our life revolves around getting this premie back up to his target weight and we are crushing it, he's gained 150 grams in the first 5 days of his life and counting. We're doing the finger feeding with the syringe and tube after he tuckers out on mamma's boobs, it's a lot of work but at least then I know he is getting the minimum he needs.

My body is starting to adapt to no sleep, we've learned to nap when he naps, we've come a long way in a few short days. I had no idea what we were getting into and 5 day ago GL was so naive, lol, as I am sure today's GL will be in a few more days.. and so on. Maybe things happen for a reason, but the extra forced stay in the hospital allowed us the time to learn a lot from the nurses and doctors.. so that is a positive to take away from all of this. Maybe in the end William will be better off because of it! Either way it feels damn good to be home, thanks again everyone. Not sure if I deserve this kind of support as I can be a quasi troll on this board from time to time, but at least it's good to know when the chips are down we all have something in common we can agree on, the importance of good health for our children!

[Jbo]

First off, thank you for this thread. I feel that there are quite a few of us on CP that benefit from it.

I found it a little bit after, but enjoyed the read. My first daughter, Emma, was born June 5 at 11:47. She weighed 8 pounds and was 51cm long. I have an entire new respect for my wife, and all moms, as I have seen what the human body is capable of.

It's been a hard couple days, mostly due to the "wtf am I doing" that I experienced when we got home. But I am writing this, with my daughter sleeping on my chest (she seems to love this) and everything seems ok...

Couple of points from me:
- she came two weeks before the due date, but still made me wait almost 21 hours to show up. The staff, nurses, doctors of Foothills were unbelievable. Can't stress enough how amazing these people were. Superheros.
- epidural may have been the single greatest thing ever invented. My wife went from being almost in tears every 2-3 minutes, to laughing and even joking through delivery.
- I went home. My wife understood. After 21 hours I could barely drive. The nurses were great and re-assured me my baby would be ok. Thank you wife for letting me sleep.
-There is so much information in the first 48 hours from the hospital. Try and note the main stuff and nod your head.
-we are now in the "survival period". Baby sleeps, poops and eats, but usually for not any of them for any major period of time. To survive, my wife and I have been taking 3 hour shifts (mainly around feedings)
-I've never been so tired in my life. Like Jet lag x 100. Just so everyone knows, unless you go through this, you don't understand how precious sleep is. You're soft
- the most content I've been in years is having this beautiful girl sleep on me while I write this.

Thanks CP

[Hockeyguy15]

People don't lie about the time flying by, our little guy is already 15 weeks old. It's kind of sad but also awesome because he now has personality. Getting some smiles and giggles before I head out the door to work is pretty much the best.

[loob job]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

People don't lie about the time flying by, our little guy is already 15 weeks old. It's kind of sad but also awesome because he now has personality. Getting some smiles and giggles before I head out the door to work is pretty much the best.

Wait till they get a year or two old and run to the door when you get home from work yelling dadda. That is the best.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by loob job

Wait till they get a year or two old and run to the door when you get home from work yelling dadda. That is the best.

This past weekend my daughter and I (she is 13) had to shoot to Calgary for the day. The drive there and back was awesome. She started to layout what her educational and career plans were. I can't think of anything I enjoy more than a good one on one chat with my kids.

TLDR, it only gets better.

[GreenLantern]

How do I stop my son from peeing on me when I change his diaper? His stream has become quite strong and he is just having his way with the wall beside the change table.

I get a little hint as he will get very quiet and not overly fidgety before the stream starts..

[calf]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

How do I stop my son from peeing on me when I change his diaper? His stream has become quite strong and he is just having his way with the wall beside the change table.

I get a little hint as he will get very quiet and not overly fidgety before the stream starts..

Put the new diaper underneath him when you put him down. Open the old diaper/wipe him off, take it away then fold over the clean diaper.

If he gives you the hint, just keep the old one there and fold it over once he lets 'er rip to catch it all.

[malcolmk14]

Peepee teepee

[Hanni]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

How do I stop my son from peeing on me when I change his diaper? His stream has become quite strong and he is just having his way with the wall beside the change table.

I get a little hint as he will get very quiet and not overly fidgety before the stream starts..

After you get peed on a few times you get really fast at changing a diaper. Does a peepee teepee actually work? Always seemed like it would just be in the way and make it take longer to do a change.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

How do I stop my son from peeing on me when I change his diaper? His stream has become quite strong and he is just having his way with the wall beside the change table.

I get a little hint as he will get very quiet and not overly fidgety before the stream starts..

I've got some pretty heavy-duty paper-clips if you think that'll help.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

How do I stop my son from peeing on me when I change his diaper? His stream has become quite strong and he is just having his way with the wall beside the change table.

I get a little hint as he will get very quiet and not overly fidgety before the stream starts..

New diaper opened up and under him (in case he poops you have something to catch it) and a face cloth over his junk.

[DionTheDman]

Originally Posted by MBates

My wife is one of those top notch nurses at the Foothills labor and delivery unit.

Thank your wife. We may have met her, as we were there having our first in April. We ended up staying in hospital for three days post as well, due to some jaundice issues, and we met a ton of great people.

[Galakanokis]

First time changing my son was in an incubator and he peed. Man, was the nurse ever pissed off at me. I was pretty apprehensive to touch him since he was the size of my hand and only 3lbs.


Speed is your best defense.